Bulk materials container



March 28, 1944. A. J. DO YLE BULK MATERIAL CONTAINER 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31. 1941 -/N VE' N 705 me Tf/UE. J 0

March 28, 1944.

A. J. DOYLE BULK MATERIAL CONTAINER Filed Jan. 31, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 28, 1944 BULK MATERIALS CONTAINER Arthur J. Doyle, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Youngstown Steel Door Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 31, 1941, Serial No. 376,846

8 Claims.

This invention relates to bulk materials containers and more particularly to containers for materials affected by moisture such as carbide, unslaked lime, cement and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide containers for the shipment of bulk materials, the containers having Weather-tight closures for the discharge openings.

A further object of tlu's invention is to provide containers of the bottom discharge type having closures for the discharge openings therein which shall effectively seal said openings and which shall be forced into more intimate sealing relationship upon any tendency of the closure to open.

A further object is to provide containers for the shipment of bulk materials, the containers having weathertight closures for the discharge openings which shall permit controlled discharge of the materials.

A further object is to provide containers of the bottom discharge type having closures for the discharge openings therein and frames around these openings adapted to be seated upon stationary receptacles and permit discharge of the materials from the containers into the receptacles while establishing weather seals with the receptacles.

A further object is to provide containers having closures for the discharge openings therein embodying rotary valves and swinging doors connected together so that initial opening tendency of the valves exerts a force upon the door, drawing the latter more tightly into engagement with the door frames therefor.

Other objects of the invention will become clear as thedescription thereof proceeds.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is 'a side elevation partly in section of a container embodying the invention.

Fig. '2 is an end elevation partly in section of the container shown in Fig. l, the closure for the discharge opening of the container being shown in open position in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fi 1.

Referring to the drawings wherein 'a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, the numeral l designates as a whole a bottom dis charge type of container for the transportation of bulk materials. The container is preferably rectangular in outline and embodies rectangularly disposed corner posts, indicated at Ii, l2, l3 and 13A. As indicated these posts are preferably angle members although any desired shape of member may be utilized. The lower ends of the corner posts are connected by the pairs of channel members l4 and I5 and I6 and I1. These channel members form a base upon which the container is supported. The corner posts are reinforced as well by means of the gusset members l8, i9, 26 and 2| which are fastened to the respective corner posts and to the reinforcing channel members. The channel members l4, l5, l6 and I! are stiffened by means of gusset members such as 22 and 23 secured to the channel members at the lower corners of the container. The particular construction of the container thus far described forms no part of the instant invention and it is believed that the brief description of the container will accordingly suflice.

The container embodies side slope sheets 24 and 25 and end slope sheets 26 and 21 arranged so as to converge adjacent to the bottom of the container to form a discharge opening 28. The side sheets 24 and 25 are secured to the end sheets 26 and 21 by means of angle members such as 29 and 30.

The lower margins of the end sheets 26 and 2'! are secured as by means of rivets to flanges 3| and 32 which have the same slope as the end sheets. These flanges 3! and 32 are part of the inner walls 33 and 34 of main frame members 35 and 36 preferably in the form of castings. The frame members 35 and 36 are provided with bearings 31 and 38 adapted to receive stub shafts 39 and 40. The inner walls 33 and 34 extend below the bearings 31 and 38 and are flanged outwardly as indicated at 4| and 42 so as to constitute part of a door frame. The end frame members 65 and 36 are formed additionally with wall members 43 and 44 extending below the bearings 3'! and 33 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

The frame members 35 and 36 are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the ends of the container. Each of these frame members is formed with angularly related flanges 45 and 46 provided with flanges 4'! and 48 having the same slope as the side slope sheets 24 and 25. The flanges 45 and 46 diverge downwardly as indicated at 49 and 50 from the flanges 41 and 48, then lie vertically as shown at 5| and .52. From these vertical portions 5! and 52 of the flanges 45 and 46 flanges 53 and 54 are turned outwardly as shown in Fig. 2.

Plate members 55 and 56 shaped similarly to the flanges 45 and 46 of the frame members 35 and 36 extend between and are secured to the corresponding flanges 45 and 46 of the frame members. The plate members 55 and 56 and the frame members 35 and 36 to which they are connected provide accordingly a complete frame.

Frame members 51 and 58 are secured to and depend from the plate members 55 and 56. The frame members 51 and 58 extend between the inner walls 33 and 34 of the frame members 3 5 and 36 and terminate in outwardly extending flanges 59 and -60 alined withthe outwardly extending flanges 4| and.42'of the frame members 35 and 36. The inner walls 33 and 34 of the end frame members 35 and 36 together with the frame members 51 and 58 constitute a complete frame for a door hereinafter described. The outwardly extending flanges 4| and 42 and 59 and 60 provide a base to which sealing means preferably formed of rubber or rubber and fabric and indicated at 6 I is secured.

Closure means which will afford an effective seal against the entry of water and the like is? provided for the discharge opening 28. Th closure means embodiesa rotary valve 62 preferably formed of a section of pipe or a curved plate 63 secured in any desired'manner to casting mem bers 64 and 65 located adjacent the ends of the curved member 62. The end casting members 64 and 65 are formed with the bosses 66 and B? into which the inner ends of the stub shafts 33 and 40 extend and to which these ends are secured so that rotation of one or the other of the shafts Will effect rotation of the rotary valve 62.

The closure means for the discharg opening 28 embodies additionally a door 63 preferably formed of a plate reinforced by downwardly extending flanges 69 and 10 and II and 12. The

door 68 is hingedly connected to the frame member 58 as indicated at 13.

The rotary valve 62 and the door 68 are so related that they have simultaneou opening and closing movements. To this end links M and are utilized and are pivotally connected to the rotary valve and to the door as indicated at 16 and Ti. The links I4 and 15 are arranged so that when the rotary valve and the door are closed the axis of each link lies above the axis of the shafts 3-8 and 39.

Discharge of the material from the container is secured by rotating either of the shafts 39 or 49 so as to rotate the valve 62. Opening movement of the rotary valve 62 imparts simultaneous opening movement to the door 68 through the links 14 and 15 thereby securing discharge of the ma terial from the container. It is to be observed that the amount of discharge of the material can be completely controlled by the closure means described and that the flow of material from the container can be shut off at will. To close the discharge opening the shaft 39 is rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

By reason of the sealing relationship between the door 68 and the door frame obtained by the sealing member Bi, the container is adapted for the transportation of such materials as carbide, unslaked lime, cement and the like which are normally adversely affected by moisture. a tight seal between the door and the door frame is insured by the described disposition of the links 14 and 15. As explained hereinabove, the axis of each link lies above the axis of rotation of the shafts 33 and 40 when the rotary valve and the door are closed. Accordingly any tendency of the rotary Valve to turn in opening direction causes the links M and i5 to exert an upward pull upon the door 58, thereby pressing it more firmly into contact with the sealing member 6 I.

It is necessary in the discharge of bulk mate- Moreover,

rials such as carbide from the container to prevent the carbide from being attacked by moisture. This is accomplished by the frame provided by the end frame members 35 and 36 and the plate members 55 and 56. Prior to the opening of the closure means to permit discharge of the carbide this frame is seated upon the receptacle into which the carbide is to be discharged. The receptacle is provided with a sealing strip which may be similar to the sealing strip 6| so that the frame engaging this sealing strip provides a weather tight joint between it and the receptacle. The rotary valve and the door are then opened, the

- door swinging into the receptacle to permit dis- 15 charge of the material in the container. The container accordingly protects the material from damage by moisture during shipment and during discharge of the material.

It will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications in the details of the invention will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that all such modifications and changes be comprehended within this invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A transportation container for bulkmaterials having a supporting base, a discharge opening in the bottom of said container, a main frame around said discharge opening extending below said discharge opening and terminating above said base, a door frame within the perimeter of said main frame and terminating above said base, a rotary Valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door for closing said door frame, said door lying within the perimeter of said main frame and above said base when closed, means connecting said valve and said door for simultaneous opening and closing movements, said main frame being adapted to be seated in weather-tight relationship upon a receptacle during discharge of said material into said-receptacle, and means for opening said valve to discharge the material while said main frameis seated upon said receptacle, said door swinging downwardly into said receptacle during opening movement of said valve.

2. A transportation container for bulk materials having a discharge opening, a door frame extending below said discharge opening, a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door adapted to close said door frame, a link pivotally secured to said valve and said door and connecting said valve and door in such manner that said door and valve open simultaneously and close simultaneously, the line drawn through the points of securement of said link to said valve and said door lying above the axis of rotation of said valve when said valve is closed, and means for rotating said valve.

3. A transportation container for bulk materials having a discharge opening, a door frame extending below said discharge opening, flexible Weatherstripping secured to'said door frame, a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door adapted to close said door frame and engage said Weatherstripping, a link pivotal- 1y secured to said valve and said door and connecting said valve in such manner that said door and valve open simultaneously and close simultaneously, the line drawn through the points of securement of said link to said valve and said door lying above the axis of rotation of said valve when said valve is closed, and means for rotating said valve.

4. A transportation container for bulk materials having a discharge opening, a door frame extending below said discharge opening, a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door adapted to close the bottom of said door frame, a plurality of spaced links each of which is pivotally secured to said valve and said door and connects said valve and door in such manner that said door and valve open simultaneously and close simultaneously, the line drawn through the points of securement of each link to said valve and door lying above the axis of rotation of said valve when said valve is closed, and means for rotating said valve.

5. A transportation container for bulk materials having a discharge opening, a main frame extending below said discharge opening, metallic members depending from the sides of said main frame, said members being secured to the ends of said main frame and providing therewith a door frame, a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door for closing said door frame, a plurality of spaced links each of which is pivotally secured to said valve and said door and connects said valve and door in such manner that said door and valve open simultaneously and close simultaneously, the line drawn through the points of securement of each link to said valve and said door lying above the axis of rotation of said valve when said valve is closed,

and means for rotating said valve.

6. A transportation container for bulk materials having a discharge opening, a door frame extending below said discharge opening, a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door adapted to close said door frame, a plurality of spaced links, each link being pivotally secured to said valve and said door and connecting said valve and said door in such manner that said door and valve open simultaneously and close simultaneously, and means for rotating said valve.

7.A transportation container for bulk materials having a discharge opening, a main frame extending below said discharge opening, a door frame within said main frame, a rotary valve for closing said discharge opening, a hinged door for closing said door frame, a plurality of spaced links each of which is pivotally secured to said valve and said door and connects said valve and door in such manner that said door and valve open simultaneously and close simultaneously, the line drawn through the points of securement of each link to said valve and door lying above the axis of rotation of said valve when said valve is closed, and means for rotating said valve.

8. A transportation container for bulk materials having a base, a discharge opening in the bottom of said container, a frame around said discharge opening extending below said discharge opening and terminating within said base, said frame comprising end members spaced from the sides of said container adjacent thereto and side members spaced from the remaining sides of said container and extending between and secured to said end members, said end and side members terminating substantially in the same plane below said discharge opening, a closure for said discharge opening lying within the perimeter of said frame and above said base when closed, said frame being adapted to be seated in weathertight relationship upon a receptacle during discharge of material into said receptacle, and means for operating said closure to discharge the material while said frame is seated upon said receptacle.

ARTHUR J. DOYLE. 

